Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry
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Upon reaching the police station, Theodore was promptly filled. in on the situation by the officers.
Even though he’d steeled himself, the news that Sabrina had gone there solo still made his gut clench.
He had a scolding all ready to roll off his tongue, but the moment he laid eyes on her, the words got stuck in his throat.
Jack initially brushed off the newcomer, but the second he caught sight of Theodore, his swagger vanished and panic set in. His face went from cocky to terrified in a flash.
What the hell’s Theodore doing here?
In Los Angeles, running into just about anyone was one thing, but pissing off Theodore was a whole different ballgame. It spelled nothing but trouble.
What’s he got to do with this poor kid?
Jack managed a fake smile, his heart pounding like a drum.
Eyeing Theodore’s stony expression warily, he asked tentatively, “Mr. Theodore Fridman, what brings you around?”
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Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry Theodore let out a cold laugh that sent shivers down Jack’s spine. “Mr. Morgan, you messed with my daughter. No way I’d stay away.”
Both Jack and Olivia’s faces went as white as a sheet.
“Sabrina’s your daughter?” Olivia blurted out, having recognized Theodore from a fancy gala.
But I thought he was a bachelor. How the heck does he have a daughter?
Theodore ignored Olivia and fixed Jack with a steely glare, his voice as cold as ice. “Mr. Morgan, you’ve got quite the daughter there. Want me to show you the proof of paternity?”
Jack’s eye started to twitch. In a fit of panic, he whirled around and gave Olivia a resounding slap across the face. “Shut your mouth!”
Then, faster than a lightning strike, he switched his act, plastering a slimy smile on his face as he turned back to Theodore.
“Mr. Theodore Fridman, it’s all a big misunderstanding. You know how kids are, always getting into scrapes. How about we just let it slide?”
With a pointed look at Olivia, he added sharply, “Apologize.”
Olivia was seething inside, but she bit her lip and lowered her head.
Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry “Sorry,” she mumbled.
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Sabrina paid her no heed. She knew Olivia’s apology was about as sincere as a used–car salesman’s pitch. Olivia was just playing the odds and backing down because the Morgans didn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell against the Fridmans.
Sabrina could see through the facade, and so could Theodore.
He scoffed, unwilling to waste any more time on this father–daughter duo.
“How did I end up with such a dumb daughter?” Jack’s anxiety grew as he watched them prepare to leave. In a moment of frustration, he slapped Olivia hard across the face.
Olivia gasped, covering her cheek, tears welling in her eyes, but she held back her crics.
The Morgan family’s business had been struggling for years, and they couldn’t afford any more storms.
Jack’s mind raced as he turned his gaze to Sabrina, hope glimmering in his eyes. “Ms. Fridman, it’s my useless daughter’s fault. Please, convince your father to let us off the hook.”
Theodore’s eyes were also fixed on Sabrina. If she chose to forgive this pair, he wouldn’t argue.
The silence in the room was stifling.
Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry Then, in that chilling calm, Sabrina’s voice cut through. “No way.”
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The Morgan family was a technology company focused on developing smartphones, computers, and a range of high–tech products.
In her past life, just after graduating high school, the Morgans had been implicated in stealing research from several small, lesser–known companies.
Their unethical practices were unforgivable.
Theodore caught the whole exchange and watched Sabrina with approval.
He’d half–expected his daughter to go soft on the Morgans, but she was clearly a lot sharper than he’d thought.
Being soft on those who had wronged her was like shooting herself in the foot.
Theodore never let an insult pass. He always got even big–time. And those do–gooders who repaid evil with kindness? He couldn’t stomach them, rolling his eyes at their naivete, seeing them as total pushovers.
So, Jack and Olivia stood there with ashen faces.
No matter how much they pleaded, Theodore wouldn’t budge.
“The Fridman family will no longer have any dealings with the
Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry Morgan family.”
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With that, he turned and led Sabrina out of the station.
As they stepped outside, they were stopped by Jane, who was waiting at the entrance.
“I’ll wait for you in the car,” Theodore said, throwing a glance at Sabrina’s way before sliding into the vehicle, leaving the two girls to their own devices.
Silence hung heavy in the air until Sabrina finally broke it. “You were the one who decided to be friends with me. I’m not saying. sorry, and I’m feeling no guilt.”
Deep down, she knew that after today, she’d be losing this so–called friend.
A surge of annoyance welled up inside her, making her tone sharper.
Sabrina added, “I promised I’d have your back. The Morgan family won’t be breathing down your neck or your family’s ever again. That’s a guarantee.”
Jane felt a twinge of sadness. “Rina, I’m not asking for an apology. You’ve got nothing to feel bad about.”
She’d never held Sabrina responsible.
In fact, it was the other way around. Sabrina had always been her rock, but her own family, lured by the promise of easy
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Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry money, had signed that settlement without batting an eye. Now, Jane felt like she owed Sabrina an apology instead.
“From now on, at school, just act like you don’t know me. I can’t say for sure there won’t be another family like the Morgans. coming after you.”
Sabrina stared off into the distance, her voice as cold as ice, like a delicate doll–stunning yet on the brink of falling apart.
It was the first time Jane had witnessed such unwavering determination in Sabrina.
Even though Sabrina’s words were sharp as a blade, there was a silent plea in her eyes, begging Jane not to turn her back.
In that instant, Jane had an epiphany about her friend. A wave of compassion washed over her for this Sabrina, a girl who was tough as nails but clearly hurting.
Jane managed a smile, just like old times. “You’re my ride–or–die. Why would I act like I don’t know you?”
“Then I’ll catch you tomorrow,” Sabrina replied, taken aback by the warmth in her own voice.
The cold distance in her eyes melted away, replaced by heartfelt sincerity.
They were still thick as thieves.
“See you tomorrow.”
Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry 7/9
*****
In recent years, the Morgan family had been in a downward spiral. Then, out of the blue, the Fridman family dropped a bombshell by announcing they were severing ties. Everyone started whispering that the Morgans had ticked off the Fridmans, and as a result, a flurry of partners began canceling their deals left and right.
Shareholders were like a stampede, rushing to pull out their investments. The Morgan family was thrown into complete chaos.
Overnight, Jack looked like he’d aged ten years. He was running around like a headless chicken, desperately hitting up anyone who might lend a hand.
Just when he thought he’d hit rock–bottom, the next day, a bombshell story broke. It turned out the Morgan family had been stealing research from a bunch of small, no–name companies.
The accompanying document laid bare every single bit of pilfered research, and the story went viral in the blink of an eye.
Three days later, word got out that the Morgan family business was up for grabs.
Just then, Sabrina’s phone rang. It was Ryan.
“Guess what, sweetie? I’ve just fixed it so that the Morgan family
Chapter 13 I Won’t Apologize and Feel Sorry company is going to be in your name,” Ryan said, his voice brimming with pride.
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This was Sabrina’s first ask of him, and he was over the moon.
“Thanks, Grandpa,” Sabrina said, flashing a genuine smile. Everything was falling into place like clockwork, just as she’d mapped out.
Ever since the day she’d come back to this life, she’d had her sights set on the Morgan family.
Jane’s situation had given her the green–light to move faster than she’d planned. The only wild card was Theodore’s involvement.
Even without him, she’d have gone full–steam ahead with taking over the Morgan family business.
“Sabrina, you’ve really come into your own. You keep blowing me away,” Ryan sighed over the phone. There were times when he’d wished the girl to have an uncomplicated, care–free life.
Sabrina paused for a beat. “Grandpa, no matter how much I grow up, you’ll always be my one–and–only grandpa. That’ll never change,” she replied.
There was a long silence on the other end before Ryan asked, “Did you cook up that news about the Morgan family’s plagiarism?” His tone left no room for doubt.
“Guilty as charged,” Sabrina admitted without skipping a beat.
